Cuomo and Mamdani face off in a closely contested mayoral race as New Yorkers turn out in high numbers despite the heat.

In a remarkable display of civic engagement, New Yorkers turned out at polling stations in significant numbers on Tuesday for the local elections, with the focus largely on the highly competitive Democratic primary for mayor. This surge in voter participation occurred despite an oppressive heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits.

By 6 p.m., three hours prior to the closing of polls, over 446,000 voters had already cast their ballots, according to the Board of Elections. This figure is in addition to more than 384,000 individuals who took advantage of the early voting period, which witnessed participation more than double that of the early voting phase during the 2021 primary elections. When considering total participation, just over 1 million New Yorkers voted in the 2021 primaries.

Election turnout expert Jerry Skurnik anticipates that the final voter turnout for this election will surpass the already substantial turnout noted in 2021, largely due to the competitive nature of the mayoral race attracting more voters, especially during peak hours between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The mayoral primary has emerged as a battle primarily between Assembly member Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist from Queens, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. As historical patterns suggest, the sweltering temperatures may adversely impact Cuomo’s support, particularly among older voters, who form a significant part of his base.

At polling locations around the city, including Public School 9 in Brooklyn’s Prospect Heights, voters expressed mixed feelings regarding their choices. Many described the voting process as efficient, albeit marked by unbearable indoor heat. Voters uniformly acknowledged the unusual challenge of participating in an election under such extreme weather conditions.

The election’s dynamics were further complicated by Cuomo’s controversial past, particularly allegations of sexual misconduct that led to his resignation as governor in 2021. Despite his ongoing support among a subset of voters, many remain hesitant to support his return to office.

Public sentiment also expressed a desire for transformative change. Several voters noted an energetic atmosphere surrounding this primary, reflective of a broader societal push for a new direction in leadership. As the afternoon progressed, the implications of the results loomed large, with Mayor Eric Adams, despite having exited the Democratic primary amid his own controversies, showing up to vote, hinting at the complex landscape ahead for New York City’s political future.

Poll results are expected to be published shortly after polls close, but the Board of Elections will not begin to tally ranked-choice votes until the following week, delaying the announcement of the next mayor and leaving New Yorkers in anticipation.